Michael Paul Gallagher SJ (1939–2015) was an Irish Jesuit theologian, lecturer and  popular author on faith and culture.  He studied English and French at University College Dublin (UCD) (1957–60) and graduated BA. He joined the Jesuits in October 1961, and commenced his novitiate at St Mary’s. Afterwards, Gallagher studied Renaissance literature at Oxford and he taught English literature for nearly 20 years at University College, Dublin, before going to Rome where he lectured in theology at the Gregorian University. He held the post of Dean at the faculty of theology there from 2005 to 2008.

Among his many books were Clashing Symbols: An Introduction to Faith and Culture (2004), The Human Poetry of Faith (2003), Questions of Faith (1999), What Are They Saying About Unbelief? (1995), Sects and New Religious Movements: An Anthology of Texts from the Catholic Church, 1986-1994 (1995),Letters on Prayer (1994),What Will Give Us Happiness? (1993), Losing God (1992), Can I Be a Christian on My Own? (1991),Help My Unbelief (1988), Free to Believe: Ten Steps to Faith (1987)